Another terrific season saw the Pella High boys cross country team finish fifth in the state last year.

Only one runner is back from that meet, senior Adam Houtz, meaning that there are a number of openings in the varsity lineup

Coach Doug Cutler says that many of the young men on his team have spent the early part of the season learning what it’s like to be a varsity runner, and that process will continue over the next several weeks.

“Every day, every practice, every meet is an opportunity to discover something new about themselves. And that’s no different in the classroom, on a course, in a race. Especially at this stage of their lives, they’re constantly learning about themselves – who they are, what they want to become and what they’re capable of.”

The cross-country teams will be the first Pella High squads to see action this year as they hit the course at Ankeny Centennial for a meet Tuesday night.